The FBC aims to promote greater bilateral defence co-operation through an annual conference, focused meetings and by providing this forum for the exchange and cross fertilisation of ideas.
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2012 FBC ANNUAL DEFENCE CONFERENCE
Wednesday 21 March at the British Embassy in Paris
The 2012 Second Annual Defence Conference was hosted by Sir Peter Ricketts at his Residence in Paris. It was a unique occasion to gather high profile policy makers and military officers, CEOs from industry as well as main think tankers and journalists.
Following a keynote speech by Peter Luff, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, four small roundtables tackled the latest issues relating to the bilateral partnership: a balance sheet on the cooperation achieved so far established that the pace was impressive although priorities for the year to come should focus on concrete industry programmes. British participants also questioned their colleagues on potential prospects for ongoing cooperation with a French socialist government.
On the world stage, Libya was assessed as a decisive military intervention in terms of interoperability but the lack of political strategy was highlighted and obviously Syria was not absent from the discussions. From the innovative and sensitive workshop on “We need to talk about Europe”, a frank conversation emerged amongst participants looking ahead to Chicago May 2012 and considering whether France and Britain could go to the NATO summit with a common approach on Defence within the Alliance.
View the video of the welcome speech of HE Sir Peter Ricketts, Ambassador of Britain to France.
View the video of the opening speech of Peter Luff MP, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology.
The report with key recommendations will be circulated shortly.
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THE FBC IN CONVERSATION WITH THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR IN THE UK
HE Bernard Emié talks about the Franco-British partnership in defence
C.Chick: Monsieur l’Ambassadeur, l’année 2011 a été traversée en Europe par des turbulences économiques et financières sans précédent. On dit qu’en 2012, les défis seront politiques. Qu’en pensez-vous?
SE Bernard Emié, Ambassadeur de France : La crise de la zone euro a largement monopolisé l’actualité de l’année 2011 et nous mesurons aujourd’hui les succès enregistrés pour surmonter nos difficultés. Mais cette année a été aussi celle des printemps arabes et les pays européens avec l’Union européenne ont joué le rôle qui leur revenait. More…
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UK-FRANCE SUMMIT IN PARIS / FRIDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2012
Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy met in Paris for the UK-France Summit on 17 February.
(Photo from Présidence de la République, P.Segrette/C.Alix)
Click here for more
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ANNUAL NDI CONFERENCE: 'BUILDING FOR GROWTH' 13th & 14th March 2012
Anglo-French Supply Chain Opportunities
A keynote speech from Peter Luff MP, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, will lead a top class selection of Government and industry speakers throughout the two day event. Leading figures from the Government, MOD and industry will share their expert advice and knowledge, both as part of the conference and in the Meet the Buyer section of the event.
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THE FBC IN CONVERSATION WITH QATAR
Doha, 1 December 2011
Interview with S./Gen. Ghanim Bin Shaheen Al-Ghanim
Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations & Training
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The third meeting of the parliamentary group on bilateral UK-French defence cooperation took place in Paris at the Assemblee nationale on 13 December between the Chairmen and representatives of the House of Lords EU Sub-Committee for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Development Policy, the House of Commons Defence Committee, the Senat and the Assemblee nationale.
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ONE YEAR ON - 2 NOVEMBER 2010 / 2 NOVEMBER 2011
FRANCO-BRITISH DEFENCE COOPERATION & THE LANCASTER HOUSE TREATIES
Senior defence policy makers and experts give their views on what has been achieved over the first year of bilateral rapprochement
click here for more
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20 October, Memorial to French airmen unveiled at York Minster
A memorial to commemorate the sacrifice of French airmen in the Second World War has been unveiled in York Minster. more
19 October, French Général d'Armée Cot in London
« About Peace » - Europe's Contribution
An engaging and politically incorrect view on peace from a 5 star General who led the FORPRONU in Yugoslavia, taught at the Reims University, and has published several books on his experience and thoughts. more
23 September, RUSI Interim Libya Campaign Report
"Accidental Heroes: Britain, France and the Libya Operation"
20 Juillet, Journee Industrie du Traite Franco-Britannique, Londres
L’événement a conjointement été ouvert par les co-présidents du Groupe de Haut Niveau, Peter Luff MP Ministre pour l’équipement de la défense, le soutien et la technologie et Laurent Collet-Billon Délégué général pour l’armement.more
